Good plays, bad game for Ads

Special teams issues pointed out by Courtney in FHS loss to West

  • Mason Collins, Farragut junior defensive back, picks off a Knoxville West pass. - Photos by Carlos Reveiz/crfoto.com

  • Matt White, Admirals senior receiver/quarterback/running back, looks for room to run while getting a block from teammate Zach Keasling, junior wide receiver. Farragut fell to the Runnin’ Rebs 30-7 Saturday evening, Aug. 29, at KWHS. - Photos by Carlos Reveiz/crfoto.com

  • Carter Nussbaum, FHS senior outside linebacker, makes a head-on stop versus a Knoxville West runner. - Photos by Carlos Reveiz/crfoto.com

KNOXVILLE — For all of Farragut’s problems at Knoxville West Saturday, Aug. 29 — especially in the second half — head coach Eddie Courtney focused on one area.

“You can’t give up 14 points like that,” the FHS skipper said about a blocked punt, which set up an easy Runnin’ Rebels TD from 7 yards out, followed by a 41-yard punt return in a 30-7 West victory at KWHS’s Bill Wilson Field.

“I’m really disappointed because we work so much on special teams and the kicking game,” he added.

Offensively, “We couldn’t get in a rhythm the whole game,” Courtney said.

Overall, “We had too many breakdowns,” he added.

While Runnin’ Rebels senior running back Isaiah Mattress rushed for 124 yards, his effort actually matched Farragut’s total offense — 124 yards, 58 on the ground and 66 passing.

West had 308 total yards: 178 rushing and 130 passing.

The lone Admirals touchdown came on a 3-yard pass from junior quarterback Dawson Moore to Alex Taylor, senior wide receiver, to tie the game 7-7, early in the second quarter.

Farragut did force three turnovers: junior defensive back Mason Collins picked off a pass, while senior linebacker Joe Maine and senior safety Grant Rice recovered fumbles.